Testing the electrical system and CDI

Starting the engine was the first thing we wanted to do, but with a high degree of caution as we were unaware of the engine's internal state. The seller had mentioned that the bike only needed the CDI replaced, so we decided to first check if there was a spark being generated at the spark-plug.

The existing CDI had been repaired and was in horrid shape, even unrecognisable, no part numbers, brand or any identification to help source a replacement part. Attempting a few kicks revealed that there was no spark being generated to the plugs. Testing reveals the CDI is shot and beyond salvage.

 Making some calls to used parts shops in Panchikawatta (The area most famous for used motorcycle and car parts) we find that there are a couple of CDIs available that may be compatible but need testing. Bringing the 2 CDIs on the condition they will be returned if not working, on the same day we try them, but no luck whatsoever.

We would now have to consider many factors for the failure to generate a spark. Could it be the messy wireharness that has been cut and chopped, the flywheel coil, pulser or any other electrical component? Next day.

The coil checked and confirmed to be in good condition, and wireharness repaired, we test the temporarily purchased CDIs; all attempts turn out unsuccessful, the CDIs are faulty and we need to get an item that works. Making calls to every possible used parts shop and visiting every motorcycle garage I pass proves to be futile. ebay has a few CDIs listed but at ridiculous prices and there is no guarantee they will work. Also checked on programmable CDIs, these costs over 4 times the price I payed for the bike itself; that's most certainly not an option.

The bike will stay this way till I find an 84 ypvs CDI which by no means is going to be an easy task.

Documents and licensing

In a project like this, while building, repairing and restoring the machine is important, just as important is having the documentation up-to-date; while having to possess valid documents to legally ride the machine is mandatory, this also increases the value of the bike. Very few of these older 2strokers have up-to-date valid documents.

Fortunately I had the seller obtain the revenue license (an annual licensing that is mandatory to prove the vehicle is roadworthy without which you would be fined and probably have to visit the courts). As the older expired copy of the license was lost, licensing had to be done from the date of first registration which meant incurring penalty charges from 1991 to 2013. This cost the seller Rs. 12,000/- after having to financially motivate some employees at the department to illegally issue the license as there was no roadworthy machine or recent emission certificate.

For transfer of ownership from Abans Ltd. to my self the only document pending, the revenue license now obtained, I lodged the transfer application and collected the following receipt. Apparently it takes 1 to 2 months for the new ownership registration book to be ready.

Starting the project with much enthusiasm

Remembering my visit to Mr Rohan's I decided to give him a call and tell him of my new acquisition; he immediately agreed to help me get the bike started and on the weekend, my Dad was kind enough to tow the bike, with me at the handles, to Mr Rohan's where the bike build would take place.

The first step is to check the wire harness and electrical system after the claims that the CDI doesn't work

Hope to have the bike looking as good, if not better than it's big brother 350 in the background.

Yamaha RZ 250 project. How it all came about.

The attraction and passion for powered 2 wheelers has been in my blood for as long as I can remember. Maybe its because when I was little, all we had in the family were motorcycles, or my Dad's stories and pictures of riding British bikes.
Anyway all the history between the machines and I will probably be another blog altogether.
Around 3 years back I was on the hunt for a Honda CB4 when I happened to visit a gent named Rohan in Nawala, he had a wonderful collection of old, rare and powerful Jap bikes; among many CB250 Hawks were a couple of CB 400 classics, CB 750, Kawasaki 1000 and stuff. In between were a couple of 2 stroke Yamaha RD 350 LCs and a RZ 350R ypvs; Mr. Rohan would praise the bikes and tell stories of how he used to race the bikes in his day. I never took too much interest though.
With work and family commitments my involvement with motorcycles had thinned out until I decided that it might be fun getting a bike and restoring it together with my 14 year old eldest son Devon. In trying to figure what to get I thought back of a bike I was very fond of, a Yam TZR125 94/95 model which was the last series of that range and came with certain extras. I remembered teaching my wife Jackie to ride a motorcycle for the fist time on that bike and that bike held lots of memories for me. While looking for this particular model is when I stumbled upon a for sale ad on www.ikman.lk of a Yam RZ 250 R; it looked like it was in very good condition and the seller assured me that it was in running condition but needed a new CDI unit.

That's where this project starts from.

On the 20th of August 13, my friend Rajee and I drove in his pickup truck to Kandana and struck a deal with the seller, paying only a portion of the committed price as he was to hand me the documents later, we loaded the bike in the back of the cab and headed back home.

The bike originally belonged to Abans Ltd., an organisation in SL, that had given the bike to one of its AGMs together with the transfer papers which he had lost together with the revenue license. The AGM had in turn given the bike to his subordinate - the seller, to repair and ride. Long story short, the bike has gone from hand to hand, garage to garage. It was seen at one time outside a garage weathering the elements for some months.
The transfer documents were however re drawn and given me by Abans and the seller had to update the revenue license from the date of first registration which cost a tidy sum.
I lodged the documents for transfer in the second week of September for a normal transfer whick takes 1-2 months; hopefully should get the new registration book sometime soon.